Episode 12 - The Birdcage
General Summary
3rd of Midyear, 1442
In the King's chambers at Redehall Castle, Confessors from the Church of the Six Saints arrive to investigate for any signs of foul play. Elin Audreyn is among them, and finds traces of the rituals performed by Emelyn Tahn Echen, the dead King's advisor. Elin demands to know the whereabouts of Emelyn... but they are not in their own quarters, having fled the castle the night of his death. Meanwhile, on the Isle of Estos, Osira Luneste is taking out a fresh group of cadets for sailing lessons about her ship, Dancer. Among them is Alyrra Luneste-Aiseleur, daughter of Labert Luneste, who struggles to keep up amongst the other cadets but still manages to hold they own as they navigate the choppy waters. Upon returning to the docks of Estos, she is met by her father Labert, who demands an update on Alyrra's progress. Carais Luneste is also there, quietly observing the ships coming and going from the harbour. When another Luneste ship is sighted on the horizon, it causes great alarm to go up throughout the harbour; it bears flags signifying that they are carrying an important hostage, and to prepare accordingly. Within the fast-approaching ship, Emelyn Tahn Echen has been travelling with stowaway Liaseppa Ventro, although her presence has yet to be discerned. Fearing for her unexpected charge's safety, Emelyn contacts their patron Carrion by casting the bones of rats, birds and rabbits upon the floor of their cramped sleeping quarters. The bones knit themselves into a mockery of life, and Carrion promises to ward Liaseppa from harm... for a price. Emelyn gladly takes on more debt to their patron and hides Liaseppa within the false bottom of their travelling trunk upon arrival at Estos. They are met by Baron Morgan Venn, who assigns a large group of soldiers to accompany Emelyn up to the castle, where they will be given food and lodgings while they arrange passage off the island back to their home in the Duchy of Frostcairn. However, the safe haven soon proves to be a tall tower with a single exit and a lonely window overlooking a terrifying drop down to the rocks below. Alyrra greets Emelyn and makes an offering of Antari bread and honey, recreating the Rites of Hospitality to the best of their ability. While they make some small mistakes in the execution of the ritual, Emelyn still appreciates the gesture. Over the following week, Liaseppa starts sneaking out through the window, using her climbing skills to make a rough map of the castle once it becomes clear that Emelyn is being kept in a gilded cage. The news from the mainland grows more troubling by the day as word of tensions rippling across The Heartlands arrives from the mouths of passing sailors.10th of Midyear, 1442
Emelyn awakens from their sleep with a frightful start, having dreamt of the claws of Carrion seizing their throat and seeing a vision of a decapitated man atop a bloodied horse riding onwards towards the Dry Lands. Fearing the implications of the vision, Emelyn attempts to contact Carrion, who offers them knowledge for a price. Emelyn accepts the debt and offers to perform a service for Carrion in exchange, and their patron demands that Emelyn somehow escape their captivity and sanctify three tombs that have been defiled deep beneath the castle. The vision, Carrion explains, was that of Emelyn's own father, Arran Tan Echen, who met their end today at the hands of "a man who defied Death, wielding a sword named Mercy." Emelyn is likely now the sole leader of Loyal Clan Echen as a result, having gained the Barony of Ayl through inheritance. In an unexpected bout of grief, they lash out at Liaseppa, who quietly slips out through the window to give Emelyn space. Descending down outside the castle walls, Liaseppa finds the open window belonging to Alyrra, who is up late decoding cypher puzzles created by her father Labert. After a tense introduction, the two find common ground and Liaseppa tells Alyrra that Emelyn is in a dire state and could use a friend within the castle. Alyrra had prepared for this, and collects items they had worked to procure for Emelyn; a hand-woven Antari blanket, a meal of roast duck with Antari herbs and potatoes, and a small brazier filled with a minuscule dose of Dreamsmoke to help Emelyn sleep. Alyrra heads up to Emelyn's tower to offer Emelyn comfort while Liaseppa finds their own way back through the castle. The meeting between Alyrra and Emelyn fares better than expected, with Emelyn cautiously accepting the offerings and extending her thanks. The two of them bond over being "powerful nobles in a position of powerlessness," and the moment of kindness helps to settle Emelyn's mind. However, the reprieve would be short-lived; Labert Luneste catches wind that his daughter is visiting with the castle's most esteemed prisoner in the dead of night, and nearly catches Liaseppa skulking about the lower levels of the castle. Fearing the worst, Labert interrupts the meeting, chastises his daughter and has Emelyn thrown in the dungeons once he spies the remnants of their prior ritual to contact Carrion. He demands that his daughter steer clear of Emelyn, as they represent a barbaric faith that skews far from the light of Resshe, the Golden Prophet. Alyrra tries to lie to her father to reassure him that her faith remains true, but fails to fully convince him. When she returns to her chambers, Liaseppa is already there, having narrowly avoided capture. They agree that Emelyn is in dire straits and needs to find a way off of Estos after they correct whatever is wrong with the tombs. Within the dungeons of the castle, Emelyn tries to meditate to quiet their mind, and receives an unexpected visitor in the form of Osira Luneste. The Duchess of the Isles takes a seat outside of Emelyn's cell and offers a plainspoken view of their situation; a ship belonging to the Church of the Six Saints, likely full of Confessors, is on their way to Estos and has been sighted off the coast. They are likely coming there to seize Emelyn for interrogation, and should they apprehend them Osira is convinced that Emelyn's life will likely be dramatically shortened. However, if Luneste were to defy the Church and free Emelyn, they would likely exact harsh punishments on Luneste for worshipping false gods; the Dillestone line has long protected Luneste from the Church's wrath, and as there is no new King who has reasserted Lunesten privileges to worship as they please, the Church is likely eager to throw its weight around on the Isles. Emelyn suggests that, Duc to Duchess, they could offer something in return for their freedom, and Osira suggests that perhaps Emelyn could do a favour for their ally House Ildrafn. She signals to Sarischa Ravana , who had been waiting in the shadows, and negotiates an acceptable deal; Emelyn will be freed and return home, and should House Ildrafn and House Antyre come to blows in the near future, Loyal Clan Echen will withhold their warriors at a crucial moment. Emelyn is faced with a terrible choice; violate their oaths to House Antyre, or betray them and risk their wrath. Feeling they have little choice, Emelyn accepts the offer, and is freed from the cells while House Luneste prepares the ship for their journey north. Emelyn briefly steps down into the crypts to mend the three desecrated tombs, rendezvousing with Liaseppa before the young girl attempted the ritual on her own.11th of Midyear, 1442
A small, fast ship bearing Ildrafn colours waits in the harbour at Estos. Sarischa, his Practical Elnor Portrain , Liaseppa Ventro and Emelyn Tahn Echen board the vessel to return north, while Alyrra Luneste-Aiseleur remains behind. Labert tries to stop them from departing in a fury, but they have already cast off, leaving Osira behind to defuse her brother's rage. Out on open waters, a storm begins to whip up. The Confessor's ship bears down upon the Ildrafn vessel, and signals to them to draw down their sails and prepare to be searched. Sarischa, however, commands the Ildrafn sailors to go to full sails, attempting to lose their pursuers in the storm. Both ships hurtle towards the dark clouds ahead-- -END OF EPISODE-Notes
Liaseppa Ventro
Alyrra Luneste-Aiseleur
Emelyn Tahn Echen
Report Date
28 Feb 2023
Primary Location
Secondary Location
